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Friday, 6 May 2011

Tofu 'Fish', Chips and Mushy Peas

This Great British Pub grub has been given the veg(etari)an culinary makeover.

All that is missing from this plate is a generous dolloping of bright red sauce.

For those of you who have been reading my blog a while, will note that I am a greasy fingered girl. I like my deep fried snacks, especially chips, pakoras aka bhaji's and samosas. When I told D I was going to be making Battered Tofu 'Fish' and Mushy Peas, he snugged his nose. Not so much at the idea of the Battered Tofu 'fish', (though his preference is bread crumbed) but the mushy peas. For some reason, he has never been keen on mushy peas - not sure if its the processed flavour or its luminous green colouring. Mushy peas like the ones I've made here are traditionally made from dried marrow fat peas.

If your lucky to be near a Chinese Wholesaler, you can find soya fish, Soya fish fillets, soya squid and soya scallops from Chinese wholesalers. I actually did see some Soya 'fish' (head, fins and tail) at SeeWoo, Glasgow a few month ago when I picked up the vegetarian 'prawns' and wonton wrappers. Momentarily, I had considered purchasing a packet of a soya 'fish', but it was mighty for me to wolf down alone and D wasn't keen on sharing. I wish I had done so now, as I may not find Soya 'fish' when I move down South. Also there are not many places in the U.K that make 'Fish' and chips suitable for vegetarians or vegans. In fact, I know of only one place, a company called Something Fishy: Purveyors of fine quality soya meat and seaweed that do so.

Anyway, here I have used firm tofu and my fish biscuit/cookie cutter to mimic the shape of a fish. If you can't find a fish shaped cutter, just slice the tofu and make 'fish fingers' and then coat it in a batter. If I had the patience I would have wrapped my tofu 'fish' in some dried seaweed to give it the smell, if not the taste of the sea.

My kids would just absolutely die out of joy to have these fish shaped tofu! They are so cute! I dont know where I would be able to find them. I AM in Southern California neear Los Angeles so I have most everything I need, but Im not sure about the fish tofu. :( I havent seen it before at my Asian Market. I want them though!!

You could grab a shaker of kelp (seaweed) flakes and sprinkle it onto the tofu cut-outs prior to battering? Or add the flakes to the batter. I've seen many vegan/vegetarian recipes which call for kelp flakes to induce a "fish" taste (vegan tuna salad, etc.) I bought my flakes at the local organic/health supermarket. They had several brands upon the shelves, both in a shaker bottle and in resealable plastic bags depending upon the brand.

I love the creativity of this blog! What a novel ideal. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Roxan. I remember who you are, your the only Roxan that comments on my blog. Thanks for letting me know your new blog address ;]

Thanks Morgan. :)I used a fish shaped cookie/biscuit cutter to shape the fish tofu nuggets. I have no doubt that your kids would love them. You can use any cookie cutter for kids, some like dinosaurs, some like butterflies!

What a superb idea with nori flakes. I'll keep it in mind for next time :) I may have to make my own as I've never seen nori flakes as flavour shakers at the local organic/health supermarket in the U.K.

Thanks Mark. Your double-bluff would certainly be appreciated by my husband. I never ate much fish when I was a meat eater. My brothers found it a boney meat and fresh fish was a luxury for my family, only entering the home on special events. So its not something we at much when I was growing up, except for fish fingers well lets face it were not 100% fish. Fish and seafood was introduced in my diet in my early years at Uni when my culinary reportoire was extending. I tasted squid, prawns and calamari all for the first time. Fish and chips were a regular meal in the company of my in-laws. I don't eat fish or seafood now, but my husband misses fish and seafood now and again. He can eat what he likes - I've never imposed my dietary preference upon him, I've just been lucky as he's always content with what I make.

PS Like the idea of Celeriac chips is a fine idea.

Thank you Greedy Rosie:) ! Mushy peas are a bit like marmite - Love or hate.